Buckle



' Aug. 17, 1943. G.J.G1|MORE 2,327,102

BUCKLE Filed June 19, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l 9 u I Q: Z5

r Z5 II Z0 /8 J5 i 54 J0 'if/Z 52 j l| l 27 "J7 /lr /li/ A Aug. 1.7, 1943.

G. .1.` GILMoRE BUCKLE Filed June 19, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 17, 1943 UNITED 'STATES `PTEN'' OFFICE` v l 1 2,327,192 y y BUCKLE .George J. `Gilmore, Chicago, Ill. appiieenen'mne 19, 1942, serial no. 447.6571 g v Y (ci. 214-193) 2 Claims.

` This invention relates to tire chain structures having special ,reference to the buckle structureV used Vin connection with'adjustably and tautly tightening the same about a wheel and tire One object of my invention is to provide a buckle assembly made of two elements which are secured in a loosely fitting articulate manner in cooperation with a strap member used in connection with the structure, the said strap member being of limited stretch or elasticity, to effectively lock the same by virtue of .the limited elasticity resident in the said strap means.

Another object of my invention is to provide an article of the `aforementioned character wherein the hasp means permitted oblique movement in addition to and simultaneous with articulation adapting the same to he brought into locked engagement thru an oblique or diagonal movement, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2.. Another object of my invention is to provide` an article of the aforesaid character wherein the hasp means is articulately secured to buckle means and is provided with loosely iitting articulate means which permits in addition toarticulation movement in the direction of the imaginarygeometric plane in which the hasp lies, means permitting the hasp means to straddle Y the buckle means and becomeremovably or re-` leasably engaged thereto. Y Another object of my invention is to provide foolproof locking means which will prevent acci- Fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view partially taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Fig. 'l is an end'view of theform shown in Figures and 6 with the strap element removed therefrom. y

Referring to the various views, Figure l indicates a section of a tire and wheel in which `the tirel is designated 43, and tube forinilating the tire 44, the wheel rim II, the extension on the rim I2, and my invention designated, generally 8, the chain elements secured to my invention 9, and the locati-ng element on the opposing side, generally, designated I, the strapmeans connecting the elements I and 8 being designated I5.

Referring to the views Figures 2, 3, and 4, the

' non-skid chain structure for which my invention is particularly adaptable is comprised of a rim locating element generallyv designated IU, a strap means I secured thereto, and a lock means, in this instance my invention designated 8. The

' non-skid structure represented on the drawings y and is comprised of a chain structure, generally,`

dental unlocking of the said buckle means and prevent the same from working out of locking'l engagement after it is once brought to or confined in locked enga-gement.

VOther objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a study of the accompanying drawings and the ensuing description wherein like numerals are used to designate like parts, and in which:V

Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal cross-sectional view of that portion of a wheel and tire so as tov permit clearly depicting the elements comprising my invention and as assembled thereto.

' Fig. 2 is a top plan view of one form of my invention and shows in dotted position the operation of the respective elements of buckle means comprising my invention.

fFig. 3 is a View partly in longitudinal crosssection as vindicated on the line. 3-3 of Figure 2. V

4 isvan end view of the buckle assemblyV shown in Figure 2 and shows the same with the strap means removed therefrom. Y 4 Y Fig. 5 is a top plan view showing a slightly modied form of my invention.

is of a'more or less present day standard form designated 9 which provides the anti-skid means when applied to an inflated or pneumatic tire, a locating or gauging element, generally, designated Ill, a strap means of limited elasticity I5, andthe buckle member, in this instance comprises, what I believe I am contributing to this art as a novel structure, which is comprised of such a simpliiied structure as to require only two elements and performs the function of locking andV holding the strap member and the anti-skid arrangement around the tire very firmly, preventing creep on the tire or loosening of the same inasmuch as itcan be attached rather rmly` and securely around a tire and wheel.

The element I!) is comprised of a plate member having two toothed portions I3 in angular Y relationship with a projecting lug I4, as can be seen in Figure l; the object of the teeth I3 is to locate firmly against the wheell portion I2 and thus prevent movement of the chain structure when at first it is applied to a wheel. The strap Y element is `secured to the locating plate I0 by securing the same thru the opening I8 and by over-lapping the strap element I5, the end I5 of the strap being riveted as at Il' so as to provide a very secure assembly.

The element I0 is provided` with two, preferably, elongated openings I9 to which the chain elements 9 are secured. The free end 21 of the strap element I5 is secured adjustably and tautly by virtue of a locking means such as I provide and which is, generally, designated 8, Figure 2.

It being comprised of a buckle member having two extensions 2D with elongated openings 2| in order to receive the opposite ends of the chain elements 9. The portion is also provided with a bent circular portion 22 which is narrower than the width of the portion 2D and a still further reduced portion 23 which is curved and bent over in order to provide the opening 24, the object of this large opening later to be expounded and elucidated.

The buckle element is provided with a narrow portion 33 emanating from the portion 20, and the same is formed at the outer end into a U shaped structure having a short leg 33 and a higher or longer leg 34. The short leg 36 permits the hasp member 25 toy ride thereupon when the same is to be worked into locked engagement as illustrated by dotted lines Figure 2. The hasp member has an enlarged opening 3i) and two or more smaller elongated openings cr slots 29 leaving the portion 28 Yto permit the strap to be reeved therethru. The enlarged opening 3i Vand the portion 3l of the hasp `element being narrower than the recess, 24 will permit the hasp to receive "an articulate motion as well ask a diagonal or oblique .l

action as indicated in the dotted lines of Figure' 2. The hasp is pro-vided on one side with an oblique opening 3l which permits that opening to straddle the portion 3@ and permits the locking point 32 to' straddle the slotted opening in the portion 34. The angular structure of the locking point32' is such that it will connethe hasp in locked posi'- tion and prevent accidental disturbance oi that locked position. The inherent elasticity and spring tension produced as a result oi" tighten? ing the strap mea-ns l5 when the locked element is brought into holding position provides the' necessary tension.

The opening 2E is providedbelow the portion 221 and permits the strap-elements to be pulled therethru, the strap element is then pulled tight as far as it can. be against the teeth i3 which are lodged inthe fel-ly EE of the wheel.Y That being done, the end 2l of the strap is laced thru the openings 25 in or er to secure the same rmly to the hasp member when in the open position as shownv bythe dotted lines in Figure 3. Then the 'assem-Y bled sti'uct-uie oi the strap end 2 and the hasp' 25 'is gra ed by lthe ngers and pull-ed Vover in' 'i "irection shown by the dotted linesFigure 3, Lit, until the hasp member is pushed over 1 d vin g-ure 2, and allowed to come into locking engagement with the slotted portion CLE in leg -ll' of the U shaped extension in the buckle member, ridingalong on the other le-g 3&5.

In folding over the hasp and the strap las heretofore mentioned, a great dea-l oiv added slack is taken np and 'the strap l5 is placed under tension, to which tension isattributable the maintaining of the hasp in locked engagement. The pointed portion vprevents the has-p means from being accidentally dislodged or while the wheel is subjected to motion on the pavement. In order to open th'esameit is necessary to--use soi-ne lever or other prying device and. place said lever in between the slottedportion 3l and the tightly thereon, the recemment -of fried-n andv traction is thereby increased which will provide better travel along pavements when the said pavements may be slippery or otherwise in a condition not suitable to the ordinary pneumatic tire construction.

It is to be noted in Figures 5, 6, and 7 where I show a slightly modified form, that the same structure is'utilized namely buckle member having portions 2B and openings 2l therein. This buckle has also an enlarged opening 24 in order to provide slidable'motion for the portion 3l of the hasp 25. The hasp is different in this respect that the oblique slotted openings 39 are somewhat larger in order to permit (viewing Figure 5) motion to the right in the plane of the hasp member so las to permit the end portion 38 of the hasp and the locking points 46 to straddle the legs 4l of the U shaped element formed on the buckle member extension 33 and permit them thru the resilient 'or limited elasticity of the strap i5 to snap the poi-nts 42 and the locking portions El intok locking engagement with 'the' slots 42.

'This arrangement or structure differs from the form shown in Figures 2, 3, `and 4 Vonly in the' operation that the haspelement'slides in the same' direction or on the same center line as the center line of the strap, whereasin Figures 2, 3,* and 'i the hasp element requires van angular movement in order to effect engagement on one side; This hasp member engages cn both sides, and the VU shaped portion 'or the terminus of the buckle portion 33 has legs Yof the same height. It is also provided with an opening 26; the strap is pulled thru the said opening, it is 'also laced thru the hasp member as in the foregoingY outlined structure and is rotated linto position permitting the taking up of the added slack and giving Va good tight gripping action tothe entire unit when thus locked in position. v

I believe I have described, rather succinctly, the nature and operation of my invention, land. wish to reserve the rights to any and all modi-j cations and improvements which come Within the scope and spirit -oi lmy invention, Yand the purview vof the foregoing description andthe accompanying drawings.

Having thus described and revealed my inven# tio-n what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten-t is: Y

l. A device of the character-described comprising, buckle means provi-ded with an enlarged female hinged portion on one endend a U Ashaped' locking portion on its opposite end, and hasp means provided with a hinge portion on one 'end cooperating articulatelywith the hinge portion of said buckle means and adaptedy to litV looselytherein, being so mounted as to be free to artcu late within a range of geometricplanesin angular relationship to and including an imaginary vertical plane passing thru the' longitudinal axis 0i" said device,- Athe said hasp means further pro-v vided with a locking portion on its opposite end adapted to be releasably enga-ged with the said U shaped locking portion in the said buckle means.

2. In a device oi' the'character'described'com prised of buckle means and hasp means, locking means comprising, a U shaped portion having legs of uneven length, slotted means in the longer leg portion, and angularly notched means on 'said hasp means engaging the said'v slotted means -toV 

